Belisarius.From the Original painting of Salvator Rosa, in the Collection of the Right Hon.ble the Lord Viscount Townshend. Sold at the Golden Head in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden.

Salvator Rosa Pinx.t. Rob.tus Strange delin.t et Sculp.t London. [n.d., c.1757]. Engraving with small margins, laid on 18th century card. Platemark: 507 x 353mm (19¾ x 14"). General Flavius Belisarius (505 - 565) was a Byzantine general and leading military figure. He led imperial armies against the Sasanian empire (Persia), the Vandal kingdom of North Africa, the Ostrogothic regime of Italy, and the barbarian tribes encroaching upon Constantinople. According to legend, Justinian, jealous of his popularity, later had him blinded and forced to beg before pardoning him because of public outrage. At the time the print was made, the picture was the proud centerpiece of the Belisarius Chamber of Lord Townshend at Raynham Hall, Norfolk, where it was singled out for praise by Horace Walpole.
[Ref: 32606] £260.00